Etymology
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deserving (adj.)

"that deserves," 1570s, present-participle adjective from deserve (v.). Related: Deservingly (1550s). Phrase deserving poor, those in need and unable to work through no fault of their own (the old, the sick, the lame, etc.) is by 1801.

Entries linking to deserving

deserve (v.)

mid-13c., "to merit, be worthy of for qualities or actions," from Old French deservir (Modern French desservir) "deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit" and directly from Latin deservire "serve well, serve zealously," from de- "completely" (see de-) + servire "to serve" (see serve (v.)). The classical Latin sense evolved to "be entitled to because of good service" (a sense found in Late Latin), then in French "be worthy of."

updated on July 30, 2018

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Definitions of deserving from WordNet

deserving (adj.)
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way;
the deserving poor
a deserving cause
Synonyms: worth
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near deserving

deserter

desertification

desertion

deserve

deserved

deserving

desex

desexualize

desi

desiccant

desiccate

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